jon81uk
TS Member
It states
I assume that may mean after 12 months of payments you would have to renew onto the new pass. As if you pay annually it states
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Merlin Annual Pass
- Thread starter Rob
- Start date
It states
I assume that may mean after 12 months of payments you would have to renew onto the new pass. As if you pay annually it states
jon81uk
TS Member
I agree there will be a backlash with the pricing, particularly the loss of the family price if you buy three or more. The standard pass to gold is going up by something like £60 in that case. But I think they have realised that passholders bring repeat visits but not huge amounts of income overall.
Maybe they will relent and offer a £20 per pass discount for the family offer but I don't see a "need" to.
There is a discount for exiting passholders who renew though.
Renew your Merlin Annual Passes | Merlin Annual Pass UK Official Website
Brings the cost down to £159 (£40 off) for standard/gold and £229 (£10 off) for premium/platinum.
Maybe they will relent and offer a £20 per pass discount for the family offer but I don't see a "need" to.
There is a discount for exiting passholders who renew though.
Renew your Merlin Annual Passes | Merlin Annual Pass UK Official Website
Brings the cost down to £159 (£40 off) for standard/gold and £229 (£10 off) for premium/platinum.
Steve74
TS Member
Thanks for that but that first quote I see it as monthly passes will continue with no expiry but for Annual pass holders, once expired, you'll have to move to the new ones.
I was asking the question about number of bookings Monthly MAP holders can make. I'm tied into the monthly pass until at least September next year so curious to know if I'll have similar booking limits. I suspect I will, not that I'm bothered by that!
I was asking the question about number of bookings Monthly MAP holders can make. I'm tied into the monthly pass until at least September next year so curious to know if I'll have similar booking limits. I suspect I will, not that I'm bothered by that!
Coaster
TS Member
There are so many independently owned theme parks and visitor attractions in the UK that offer a much better experience than Merlin's, I used to see things differently, but nowadays I just have no interest in the MAP even without this latest price increase.
Why not support the parks and businesses that really need it, and visit somewhere different next year? I can't see the logic behind giving Merlin another £200+ for the same old stuff every year?
Of course, it's different if you still enjoy Merlin's offering, but those who don't, why pay more for a MAP when there are so many other options?
Why not support the parks and businesses that really need it, and visit somewhere different next year? I can't see the logic behind giving Merlin another £200+ for the same old stuff every year?
Of course, it's different if you still enjoy Merlin's offering, but those who don't, why pay more for a MAP when there are so many other options?
jon81uk
TS Member
I would expect existing passholders are tied to the terms when they signed up, so may not be a limit?
Also I found this further down that does state it only runs until the end of your contract
jon81uk
TS Member
Compared to other parks the MAP is still a bargain price.
Blackpool are currently charging £189 for a season pass!
Paulton aren't currently selling new passes but a renewal is £159.
Whereas a Merlin renewal with no blackout dates (platinum) is £229, so for £70 more than Paulton you get four theme parks and dozens of other attractions. Put that way the price is a bargain.
That’s a bit unfair considering the existing passes are essentially unlimited (excluding blackout / capacity) a good will gesture for the final months of standard / premium should be to allow 6 as per platinum - it shows good customer service and rights some of the issues from this year.
Thameslink Rail
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Smiler
Yes but this is Merlin we are talking about. When was the last time they did something that wasn't unfair to the consumer?
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Other than Blackpool, are there really that many other options in the UK? Especially for those who live south of the Midlands.
Paultons Park is a quality product for younger families but there is not much else for the older family/thrill markets.
jon81uk
TS Member
I agree there is less down south and unfortuantly Alton and Thorpe have cornered the thrill market, most other parks have moved away from big coasters.
But there are still a few parks.
Drayton Manor
Oakwood
West Midlands Safari Park
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Paultons
Adventure Island Southend
Flamingoland
Lightwater Valley
Now most of those probably aren't worth getting annual passes to, unless you are very local. But if local then Oakwood, Drayton Manor or Paultons would probably all be worth passes for families and Blackpool for those who want coasters.
Thameslink Rail
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Smiler
Out of the top 15 rollercoasters in the UK according to https://captaincoaster.com/en/
12 are Merlin
Out of the remaining 3
1 (Wild mouse) is definitely closed
The only other 2 are
Icon
Megafobia
So you can see how Merlin dominates the industry. Whilst there may be other parks, Merlin has the budget and most of the best (and most attractive) rides, the MAP only helps boost their monopoly and stops independent parks being visited leading to the vicious circle we have seen in the last few years.
12 are Merlin
Out of the remaining 3
1 (Wild mouse) is definitely closed
The only other 2 are
Icon
Megafobia
So you can see how Merlin dominates the industry. Whilst there may be other parks, Merlin has the budget and most of the best (and most attractive) rides, the MAP only helps boost their monopoly and stops independent parks being visited leading to the vicious circle we have seen in the last few years.
AT86
TS Member
Compared to the prices for individual parks, Merlin passes are still good value for what is included. As long as you get use out of them.
Oakwood - £91
West Midlands Safari Park - £90
Blackpool Pleasure Beach - £189
Paultons - £159
Adventure Island Southend - £100
Flamingoland - £140
Oakwood - £91
West Midlands Safari Park - £90
Blackpool Pleasure Beach - £189
Paultons - £159
Adventure Island Southend - £100
Flamingoland - £140
jon81uk
TS Member
and even then Thorpe Park for £99/£119 is a reasonable price compared to those other single pass prices.
BarryZola
TS Member
I think the new passes for this year are OK. Really glad they've made a maximum of 3/6 pre-books at one time for each attraction. That was probably the most important thing for me for them to rectify. Yes, the prices may have jumped up a fair bit but they're still not bad value if you intend to use them quite regularly. Will probably end up getting a Platinum at some point if Alton still aren't doing a single park pass by May (when my Premium pass extension runs out). The comments on the FB page about the new passes are not very good but I bet a lot of those moaning will suck it up in the end and just pay it anyway.
jon81uk
TS Member
I think that is why many people are complaining on Facebook.
It is a big jump as at with the extra £20 off each pass for buying three or more it worked out £139 to renew a premium pass. Now its £229 and no discount for buying multiples for a family. So yes its now costing £90 more per pass to renew.
But for what is offered I think its more that the old price was cheap instead of the new one being extortionate.
The original passes may have been cheap but they was affordable that what’s the main selling point I can’t see any massive changes in these passes right now so I can fully understand why people are so angry on social media. I reckon now it will come down to how much they charge on monthly passes to see how bad next year could be.